Sunday, April 29, 2012

Flash fiction: Bruise, Spectrum, Wind


Found out about this flash fiction contest from Darci, thought I would give it a try.  I looked into the opening of a story that I look forward to writing soon-ish. I missed the cut off time but I thought I would post it anyway. Enjoy:

“Ouch. Damn that is going to leave a bruise.” Clarrissa shook her hand. Slaming her car door on her finger was stupid. It was bad enough she had a flat tire that made her 6 hours late getting home from her 13 hour drive from school. She slung her back pack over her shoulder, she would unpack her car in the morning. The wind tossed her black hair and jingled her mother's chimes. The wind and the chimes always reminded her of home. Though it was weird that the lights were all out. No matter how late she ran Clarissa's parents always waited up for her. Her mother was a night owl any way and her Nana hardly ever slept at night.

She opened the door. CAW! Clarissa jumped a crow flew out. She shook her head, Spectrum! She yelled. Stupid bird it was her grandmother's pet. “Mom?” She said as she stepped in, “Dad?” She dropped her bag on the chair. “Nana?” She slipped her shoes off. It seemed like they really were all asleep. She walked across the floor to where the light switch was. There was something wet on the floor, and sticky. She turned on the light.

Time stopped. She could feel each heart beat, when the light illuminated the gory scene before her. There was blood under her feet, and it came from the hand woven rug. “Mom!” She dove on her mothers body. There was no pulse. Tears poured, she sniffed, daddy, “Please God, no.” she grabbed her father's arm. But it was limp, his eyes stared off. She sat back, “No no no...”she buried her face in her hands. She took out of her phone and dialed 911, “Yes my parents are,” her voice cracked...”I just got home and they're... They're, she sniffed back tears, they're dead...Okay um..oh, Nana.” Clarissa stood and ran up the stairs. The moon light shown through the window of her grandmother's room. The door and window were opened. “Nana?” Her grandmother was slouched in her chair, her knitting was soaked with blood.

Friday, April 27, 2012

April Reads: The Lies of Lock Lamora

This is the first book I have finished reading in April. and it will probably be the only book I finish. now on the month that all the random books i am listening to a chapter a week get done it will be a very cushy month but for now one book at a time is how I get to my goal.  I read this book because it was being read by the book club I kinda follow, but I fell behind in the reading so I haven't listened to that pod cast for a wail. but here are 6 reasons why I think you should read it.

1. It is Robin Hood meets Oceans 11. It mixes all the great caper icons and puts them into a fantasy. seriously imagine the gang from leverage using magic  and medieval weaponry, Besides they call themselves the Gentleman Bastards, just think about what that tittle could mean for a second. Come on what more is there to say?

2. Well how about Sharks! every one loves shark week right? well now you can read about people not just being attacked by sharks but entering into combat with sharks. talk about raising the tension.

3. Still not convinced huh? How about Animal Husbandry? What situation isn't made better by Animal husbandry? Just ask red mage.

4. Okay I can see you don't believe me. you want something deeper then flashing prestidigitation, gory battle scenes, bizarre animal companions, or epic escapes. how about a swash buckling hero? One who is handsome and smart?

5. What if I told you the story is filled with loyalty, friendship, and revenge?

6. right well here is my last card: the crafting of this story is genius. character history, world history and other prospective are mixed into the story in such a way which pull back that adds to the story and never distracts from it. the way Scott Lynch pulls back the curtain to show you how detailed his world is amazing. from the buildings which are the remains of a forgotten race, to the 12, no 13 Gods. actually if you use the craft and want to put a religion where the characters see their gods as transcendent this book would be a great place to get a feel for how others do it. The prayers of his characters to their deities flow naturally from the current situations.

Okay so now that i have explained why you should read it what are you waiting for go to your library right now!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Because I Don't Know What to Post

I don't want to get too personal but if you haven't noticed I haven't been a round a lot. I mean I used to be really good about getting content out, then this year I have just been not as wanting to be active around here. call it ennui. I want to write more but I can't seem to get excited about it lately. I will blame my job here, I always have great ideas while at work but by the time I get home they are gone, or just not as exciting as they once where. please don't tell me to write them down when I have the idea. most of them come in ways that are not describable in a few short words and while I have an Ipod with me it takes far too much time and effort to writer them out using the touch screen for it to be worth it. Plus we have a 'strict' no texting rule. it's dumb and yes I break it, however checking what a text says takes up way less time then trying to write down the grand inspiration that I just had. if I were to stop working and start typing "use the theory of hummers for a bases of the medical understanding. Thea's sanguine levels are dropping duh because she has been shot and they have to stop the bleeding but while the sanguine levels drop the melancholy levels rise. oh and when I get them to Miz or what ever I am going to call it the doctor that finds them is a magnet healer, who has to do some chiropractic type work on her as well as other 'stitch' tip healing methods-as always more magic then science. oh and Nehim can't fly how does he keep them from getting killed. and what should Elliot be doing this whole time....

It goes on but imagine trying to type that with one hand while trying to keep working so the boss doesn't suspect you might be doing something you are not supposed to be doing. believe me it is not fun. stickers suck for the record I may have a very hard time giving my kids stickers because of how much I hate them right now. 

any way so here's the thing. I could blog about any number of things crafting, writing, that story about Novalee, books I am reading, fantasy books I like. but what do you want to here about? why do you keep coming back to my blog and reading my ramblings. right now I think I need some... I hate to say it but encouragement. I had such grand hopes for this remolded blog, and now it feels like my 'ennui' is getting to me. So please let me know what do you want to read about? you have 5 options:
1. Crafting and creating
2. Writing
3.Novalee's story
4. Books- reviews, thoughts, analysis
5... alright I lied, only four options. 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Writing competition: Novalee's Origin Story

(So Darcy decided to host a writing competition, and well I couldn't help myself. so here is a fun little tale that I worked very hard on to get under the word count limit)

“Jade, breakfast is here.” Said Maso

Novalee sighed “I asked you not to call me that any more.” She stepped out from behind the modesty screen. She wore a plain dress which fit loosely, which made her feel shielded from the world. She breathed in the wondrous scents as she sat down and reached for the hot bacon.

“no.” Maso grabbed her hand. “you don't want to ruin your figure.”

Novalee laughed, “of course I do. I never want to be hungry again, and if that means I gain rolls becoming so fat that I wattle down the street.” she tried to take the bacon back.

“I said no.” he slapped her hand.

She slapped him back, “I'll eat what I want.”

After breakfast Maso got out his violin and Novalee pulled out her ocarina. They played together till Maso got ready to play for the other patrons of the inn

“Can I come with you? We play well together and...”

“It's too dangerous. They're still looking for you.”

It was late when he got back. “Awe my sweet Jade you look lovely in moonlight.”

“have you been drinking?”

He grabbed her wrist, “So what if I have.”

“Let go.” Somehow in the next moment Novalee found herself on the bed with Maso on top of her she struggled. “Stop it.”

“No I've waited long enough.” he pulled her skirts out of his way. “You owe me, or did you think I helped you out of the goodness of my heart?”

“Get off me!” When he didn't listen she bit him. Her teeth clamped on his earring and she tore at it. He yelped. Blood dribbled down his cheek.

He smacked her. “You stupid whore.”

Novalee fell off the bed and cowered.

“you bitch! What do you think you are? Suddenly a free women, no you are a whore, you where born a whore and you will die a whore.” he walked over kicked her. “I'll be back in the morning and I expect you to behave more like you were taught.”

She heard the door shut and lock. She didn't move, she wanted to cry instead she took a deep breath. She was an adventurer now, it was time to act like one.

When Maso came back she was ready for him. “Jade? Where are you?”

“Over here.” She said.

“I hope you ar...” a large heavy bundle flew down and smacked him on the back. He lost his balance and fell forward against the balcony rail which broke under his weight.

He came up for air just in time to see her throw his violin into the lake after him. “Jade what?”

“I'm not Jade any more!” she yelled, “I'm Novalee. And no one is ever going to touch me like that again, not you not the priests not any one.” With that she left. She had waited years to live her life, no one was going to stop her now.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Versatile Awards

All right yes I have been neglecting my on line persona, sorry real life got in the way, today is the first day i have felt like blogging. not that I haven't got a huge line up for things I want to write about but things just haven't been working out. Anyway. I decided that I have put this off long enough. Daniel Jones, also known as the Usual fool, my good friend on line and off has nominated me for a Versatile Award. I can not express how flattering this is. really, I go back and forth over this site. some times I am very good and get lots of content but most the time I figure the majority of the hits here are people looking for pictures, yes I make it a habit to be self deprecating. So hearing this from a friend is awesome. So Thank you Daniel your the best! But any way-

I had no idea what the award was so I headed over to the Versatile blogger Award. now I have to share 7 things about myself and Nominate other bloggers. Okay so the nominating part is the fun part so I will do that first:
1. http://darcicole.blogspot.com/ Darci is my Cousin in law (I think that is what it is called anyway) I love her and I love reading all the things she writes about. she is working on becoming a novelist while chasing her little Monkey and preparing for a new addition.

2. http://myinfernaljournal.blogspot.com/ Amy is one of my new on line friends, I have never met her but thanks to Darci I have been able to read her thoughts about life and her own writing. though she writes under the name of Hero over at http://chapterhouselane.blogspot.com/

3. http://morganshamy.blogspot.com/ is a newer blog that i follow. Morgan Shamy is one of those people who loves what she does and wants to see others succeed as well. she has been a big encouragement to me this year.

4. http://continuumofgrace.wordpress.com/ first non writing blog. I went to seminary with Seth. he is an great guy. This past lent I used his blog as a devotional reading. his writings about scripture and the fathers are insightful and well worth the read. he has slowed down the amount of content he puts out now that lent is over but I look forward to how his blog continues in the weeks to come.

5. okay last one: http://little1liz.blogspot.com/ Liz is a friend of mine from college. I have probably been following her blog the longest. she writes about her life as a youth and children's pastor, her explorations as a writer, and shares her interesting conversations with Favorite Atheist. thanks to her blog she is one of the few people from college that I still feel like I have some kind of relationship with.

Okay so second part 7 things about me. usually one of the big things I like to share with people is that I want to be a novelist some day. but really you hang out here enough you should know that so we wont count that one.

The next thing that I like to share with people is that I spent a summer working for my dad on a land based oil rig. I don't know if my dad knows this but it was possibly one of the best summers of my life. I really was able to get to know my dad in a new way, the memories of us driving the five hours to get to camp from home listening to music and talking about what ever we felt like will always be treasured. you know how you have those moments when you and your parents can hang out as piers and not as parent and child? those drives and that time working on the rig was defiantly it for me.

So something else... until I was 9 you couldn't get me in pants. I only wore dresses. and not just any dresses but lacy fluffy dresses that swirled around me when I twirled. those were the days when I wanted to be like Shirley Temple, and dressing like her was a big deal. That was probably the time that I really hated my short straight hair. with no curls to bounce as I pretended to tap dance up and down the stairs. now remember I grew up in Wyoming, a place known for its fridged winters. how did I survive and win those fights with my mom about dressing for the weather? I wore thick woolen tights. Gosh I miss those things they were so petty and warm. Seriously tights are awesome nylons suck!

One of my big accomplishments recently was finishing the Silmarillion. Loved reading it, will probably read it again. I just feel so great about that. you know I have talked to so many people who started it and never finished it, I just love that i am in the group of people who made it!

Lets see what else, I am still great friends with two of my 'nursery' friends. you know the friends you make when you were in nursery. One of them was my Matron of Honor.  but I feel very lucky that these two girl friends from the earliest days of my childhood are still such great friends.

Over half way done, my favorite move of all time is The Flight of the Navigator. It's campy, full of fun time travel in the 80's, and the Beach Boys. I haven't watched in in forever but it was probably one of those moves that sparked my imagination.

I like Games. I consider my self quite the gamer. I love playing table top games and there are several video games I like to play. -like Dynasty warrior I need to go over to the Jones' some time to just play that for a while.- but mostly I find that I like watching other people play the games then play my self. I used to make up Dialogue and voices for my brother's games when we were kids you know back before there were voice actors in the majority of games. now I just watch my husband play. he often will eat the game and I no longer have as much desire to play because I have see how the story ended.

And the last thing about me for the day.... I Love food. this is actually a big deal because I used to be the pickiest kid in the world (or so I thought before I met people who are even pickier. which I didn't think was possible.) ever sense I went on my first mission trip to LA and Tijuana I realized that food can be different and taste good. also that it wasn't worth throwing a fit about not getting the food you wanted. and that it was kind of rude to not just eat what you were offered.  actually now that I think about it every missions trip I have gone on has represented an important change in my life. I should blog about them. but not today. I am done for today.

Hope you take a look at the awesome blogs I nominated and learned a little something new about me in the process.


Sunday, April 08, 2012

Easter: Christ is risen


See, what a morning, gloriously bright
with the dawning of hope in Jerusalem
folded the grave clothes, tomb filled with light
as the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God's salvation plan, wrought in love,
borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
for He lives: Christ is risen from the dead

See Mary weeping, "Where is he Laid"?
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till he appears,
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty
Honour and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with power and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!
(See what a morning lyrics)

Monday, April 02, 2012

March Reads 1



(remember 90 day challenge starts today!)

The 19th wife by David Ebershoff. Yes it is about the Firsts (a back water splinter group of the Latter day Saints) Yes it is about Ann Eliza Young (the 19th wife of Brigham Young) and yes it is written by a non LDS. I really enjoyed this book. It was really three stories woven into one. the story of Ann Eliza told through her memoir, the journal of Brigham Young, her father's memoirs, her brother Gilbert's Memoirs, and some correspondence from her son. each given i believe a good representation from the point of view of the person. (each of these sections is written in first person as if you are actually reading their story from their own mouths. tangled into this story is the story of Jordan as he tries to find out who really killed his dad and framed his mom. (his mom is the 19th wife of his dad) Jordan was kicked out of the firsts-literally left on the side of the road by his mom- for getting caught holding his step sister's hand. It was a great book and really makes you think a little about the issue of polygamy and what people are willing to put up with if they are told their salvation depends upon it. the best part of this book Ebershoff gives a list of all the resources he used to write the book so if you want to explore more into the topic and check his facts you can. I really enjoyed it and think it is very well written. Yes I would recommend it to just about anyone. Know this though if you are anti Mormon you may come away thinking Ebershoff went way too easy on Brigham. if you are Pro Mormon you will probably think he went to harsh on Brigham. me I think he treated the whole topic with honesty and truthfulness.